Update: Sorry for the long wait and the shorter chapter, I've been quite busy with work these holidays and it's been hard to find much time between work and Christmas for this. To all my readers, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year! And I hope you like this chapter. I'll be focusing on Aki in the next one! :D Thanks again !
Masamune had triple checked that they had everything they needed to head to Ueda and he hadn't seen even a glimmer of Mego this morning. His frustration was voiced by an impatient Motochika who was tapping his foot impatiently as he stood next to his horse ready to go.
"Where is that wench and what is taking her so damn long? We should have left by now! I tell you this is the problem with women! They have to take the whole damn house!" He yelled at no one in particular.
"That's it, I am going to go find out what she is doing!" He announced and stormed off in the direction of her room. Masamune followed behind him, eagerly as curious as to what was keeping her so long. It wasn't like Mego to take this long for anything. He couldn't help but feel worried about her. As they arrived at her bedroom Motochika slid the door open with more force than necessary.
"What in the blasted seven seas are you doing Megohime?" He shouted at her. He feel silent as soon as he saw her. Masamune, worried by his friends silence rushed quickly to see what the fuss was about. Mego was sitting on her knees in the middle of the room next to her packed bag. She turned around to face the two men slowly as if she had barely heard the irritation in Motochika's voice. What greeted them as her face turned to face them caused the deafening silence. The stream of tears and the puffiness of her eyes told them enough. She had been crying. Masamune immediately took raised a and towards her and took a step towards her as he whispered her name softly, "Mego" conveying his concern and care for her. She looked at them and then back down to her hands. Masamune followed her gaze and looked to her hands to see what she was holding. Her blue kitsune mask. The last time she had that was when she fought Yukimura and I. Like snapping out of a trance Mego quickly wiped her exposed face and turned her face away in embarrassment of expressing emotions so openly in front of them both.
"Oh... I'm sorry... I just.." She trailed off as her eyes became stuck to the mask again.
Masamune instinctively took a few more steps toward her, his arm still reaching towards her as if readying himself to embrace her if needed. Mego looked up to the ceiling and back at her two friends and smiled, tears still rolling down her face.
"I apologise. I've made us late haven't I?" She giggled at herself. The two boys remained silent, still unsure what to say to her. They both exchanged looks, looking for help on how to approach the situation. When they remained silent she spoke again.
"I was thinking about all the times I've shared with Aki. We've been together for as long as I can remember and we've made so many memories... Like this mask." She lifted the mask up and faced it towards them so they could take it in fully.
"We helped save villages from bandits whilst wearing these masks amongst other things. We've done so much together and now... And now we are taking our own paths..." She shed a few more tears.
"I am so happy for her. She's always dreamed of this day and she's picked a really good man too. I just feel a bit sad that she will be now sharing most of her fond memories with him."
Masamune looked at her knowingly and smiled warmly. He knew she'd feel this way, but he wasn't sure when it would hit her. Motochika considered her words for a little before coming up with some confidence boosting words.
"Just because she's getting hitched don't mean you won't see each other again. It just means you'll have a lot of catching up to do when you meet up." Masamune nodded in agreement.
"This guy always comes over for a party." He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at Motochika for emphasis. "I couldn't keep him away even if I married a she-snake." Motochika roared with laughter. "Whose to say a woman would ever want you?" He jested to Masamune.
"Huh? At least I don't have to kidnap woman to get them to like me." He threw back at Motochika.
"You picking a fight?" demanded Motochika. Both men glared at each other itching to get at each others throats but were stopped by the contagious laughter radiating through the air.
Mego was laughing so hard she had her hands around her waist and was rolling on the floor. They both straightened up and instantly changed their frowns to smiles before starting to laugh themselves from her contagious laughter.
"Thankyou both. I feel better now." She smiled to them before getting up and turning and packing in the blue Kitsune mask in her bag. She picked up her luggage and they headed out to the horses together.
As they ran through the country side Mego took full advantage of the fresh air and swift legs of Kinfu as she raced ahead of everyone, arms spread wide and hair flowing in the breeze. Masamune smiled at her as he rode with his arms crossed. It was a beautiful sight when she smiled so brightly. She radiated in the rays of innocence and serenity. Just watching her like this made him feel more in love with her than before, but more than that he felt more protective of her. He wanted her to always smile like this. Tsukiyo gave a howl as she ran through the horses to catch up to her friend. Masamane looked down at her as she came up to him.
"Giving you a run for your money is she Tsukiyo?" He asked the black wolf. She looked up to him and gave him a woof which was wolf for yes before running off after her. He'd grown fond of Tsukiyo's company as well. Sometimes she would come and sit by his feet when he was looking out into the garden. Sometimes she would accompany him on rides. Like most wolves though, she seemed to appear when she was needed, but otherwise eluded most.
"Does she always ride like that?" Motochika asked. Motochika gave him a nod.
"Yes. She is a free spirit. She likes to flow with the wind." Motochika watched her as she began to slow down so she could regroup with everyone else.
"She is quite the catch Masamune. Don't be letting her get away without a fight." Motochika punched him in the shoulder as his sign of approval.
They rode on until nightfall where they made camp just below the hill with the ancient cherry blossom tree. Just their luck that it was in bloom for the spring and stood an almighty beauty to behold to all. As they made camp the men began fires to start cooking with what supplies they had.
Mego sat on Kinfu observing them. She felt after having made them wait for her she owed it to them to get them something good for dinner. She strapped on her bow and arrows and whistled for Tsukiyo. It was time to go hunting for their favourite animal, boar.
As everyone had settled down waiting for the food to cook and enjoying conversation Masamune noticed the lack of a certain woman in their company.
"Kojuro have you seen Mego?" he asked. Trying to mask the growing concern in his voice. Kojuro shrugged.
"I saw her go off into the woods a while ago but I think she needed privacy." Masamune accepted his answer but couldn't help but keep looking back at the woods every now and then hoping to see her return safely.
Suddenly loud noises started coming from the forest, growing louder and louder until the sounds of a horse and boar could be heard. Masamune was instantly filled with panic. His heart began to race as he barked orders and grabbed his weapons. He had an impending sense that Mego was in danger.
A few minutes later Kinfu came racing out of the tree line with mego atop her. Then out burst the raging boar, chasing after them madly.
"WATCH OUT!" Mego yelled as she spurred Kinfu on towards the campfire. Mego quickly drew her bow and aimed for the boar's brain. She breathed in slowly, clearing all thought and sound in her mind. When she felt she was close enough to the fire she let loose one arrow, that hit it's target but didn't quite get through. She cursed silently and pulled out another arrow.
Masamune watched on in awe and horror as he saw her expert aim and daring at it's finest. The boar moved in and was only a few meters away when she loosed the second arrow the pierced through the brain killing it instantly. The boar fell with a loud whack as it's body lay in the dirt only ten meters from the campfire. Mego slowed Kinfu down and Tsukiyo came rushing back to her side. Whilst everyone had been paying attention to the Mego and boar, Tsukiyo had initially tracked it and kept it going by nipping at it's legs.
When Kinfu finally halted Mego let out a few big deep breathes. That was the most exhilarating hunt she'd been on in a while. The adrenalin was still pumping through her veins as she was still trying to catch her breath. Masamune rushed over to her to see if she was injured. One look over her and her clear smile told him she was fine. He gave a silent sigh of relief.
"So crazy" he said to her in greeting.
"Well I thought I better get us dinner since I already made us late. And even better it was delivered right to the front door of the campsite." she chimed proudly.
"I'll make sure I don't piss you off and run away in the future" perked up Motochika who was impressed by her aim and courage. She laughed at him.
"I'd only injure you so I could get my hands on you first dear friend." They all laughed together. Everyone was on an adrenalin high, the boys from being worried and Mego out of being successful.
As Mego pulled of her bow and arrow Masamune, who was more bold due to his adrenalin, walked up and picked her up by the waist and pulled her down off her horse. She let out a yelp of surprise and looked at him at what seemed like slow motion as she was gently placed on the ground. His face had the biggest smile she'd ever seen on him.
"You surprise me every day." he said, his hands still on her waist. She looked at him and giggled.
"At least I am interesting then. I'd hate to be too pampered and refined." She then turned away from him and pet Tsukiyo who'd been rubbing against her leg wanting her reward. She always wanted her ears scratched after a successful hunt. As Motochika stood there watching them his previous thoughts were confirmed again. Mego was undoubtedly the first girl to have captured and tamed the heart of the One Eyed Dragon, but she was also unquestionably meant for him. Fate had brought these two together, and they fit together like yin and yang. His own heart yearned to feel that kind of company. A woman to call his own who he could sail the seas with by his side. A woman he could hold, kiss and warm a bed with. Someone who accepts and loves him completely for who he was. And seeing Masamune and Mego talk to freely, it only made him ache all that much more for such comfort in his life. Sure you could generally find a woman to warm your bed for the right price or sometimes for nothing but it wasn't the same. Not like having someone you can count on at any time. Money can't buy true love.
As the boar was being roasted, Masamune sat under the Sakura tree enjoying a drink of sake alone. He had taken of his helmet and it lay next to him. His hair occasionally floated in the breeze. Mego approached slowly as she watched him gazing out over the valley. She half wanted to try and scare him but also wanted to watch him. She crept closer and his heard turned towards her.
"I can hear you." He said bluntly as he hid a mischievous smile on his face. He'd known it was Mego by the sound of her footsteps. Her cover blown she walked over and sat next to him under the sakura tree. He looked at her questioningly. It's not that he minded her company, but how did she know he was here?
"Your presence was being missed as the carving of the boar started so I asked Kojuro where I might find you." She answered, knowing intuitively what he wanted to know.
"This is my favourite place to sit and think. Kojuro and I have spent many a night here." he replied having felt the need to give her a reason for why this place in particular.
She hugged her knees and looked out into the valley. "It's truly beautiful here. I can see how you could make many fond memories here." she trailed off as she looked off into the distance. They then sat there in silence together. It wasn't an awkward silence but a calming one that made you feel comfortable. Masamune watched as Mego smiled as she watched the night sky. So full of hope and dreams. As he watched her, he felt a need to get closer to her. Mego also felt the same way. She was happy just to be by his side but she couldn't shrug off the feeling of wanting to hold his hand or even hug him in such a moment. When moments like these arose, hidden feelings always seemed to make rise. She hugged her knees tighter as to control her urge. Suddenly a lonely Sakura flower fell off the tree and landed on the top of her head. She made a cute noise and giggled as she felt it land on her hand. As she went to pick it off, Masamune leaned over and grabbed it off her head. But rather than throwing it away he placed it in her hair just above her ear. She giggled and turned towards him.
"Does it look nice?" She asked him, a sparkle in her eyes as she fingered it. He grabbed the loose lock of hair and twirled it in his hands. His eye memorized by hers and how she glowing right now.
"You always look beautiful to me." he said as he gazed into her eyes deeply. She gasped, heart racing at his passionate answer. The flames of passion burned in his eye and it was drawing them closer together. Mego could feel his breath on her face and as they got closer her heart raced faster and adrenalin pumped through her veins. He was only inches away and Mego was so deep in his eye. "Mego" he whispered softy, his breath tickling her lips as he spoke her name so sweetly. "Masamune" she replied just as sweet. Calling his name gave him courage and she herself couldn't hold back any longer. Her heart had been yearning for this for a while now and it was clear, he felt just as passionately about her as she him. And he was going to kiss her. She took one last look and closed her eyes showing she wanted his kiss. He was only an inch away she could almost feel his sweet lips on her mouth.
"Lord Masamune!" Came a shout from Kojuro. Masamune growled and reluctantly moved his face away from Mego's.
"What is it?" He demanded in a very annoyed tone. Mego's face burned hot with the sudden rush of raw emotions and passion. She felt the need to fan herself to calm herself down. But she too felt a pang of pain in being disturbed. She'd been so close to her first kiss and so much more. At least she knew she knew how he truly felt now. Coming back to reality she began to hear the world around her again.
"We've spotted some of those black banner soldiers towards the east." Masamune immediately picked up his helmet and headed down towards the main camp. After a few steps he turned back to Mego who was just staring at him seeming still a bit sky high on the moment. He laughed and went over and offered his hand.
"Come on Mego we have a party to deal with. I'll pick up where we left off later." a hint of lust in his voice. She took his hand and simply nodded to him having lost the ability to think for the moment. She came back to her senses by the time they reached everyone else and prepared herself for battle.
The ambushed the small group of soldiers and delivered a swift victory. Meanwhile in the trees one of the main brains behind this mysterious enemy watched from afar. He watched as Mego and Masamune shared glances to each other like love sick puppies.
"Don't you worry One Eyed Dragon. You have to leave your little girly alone at some point. And when you do, I'll snatch her right from your grasp. Enjoy her while you can, because she'll be mine before long!" He snickered and returned into the darkness he came from. Little did they know that Mego was in fact one of the targets of these unknown bandits.